DMX512 is connected using 5-pin XLR connectors. Although only 3 of the pins are actually used, 5-pin connectors are specified by the DMX512 standard in order to avoid confusion with 3-pin XLR connectors used for audio. This confusion could be particularly disastrous if a high powered audio line is accidentally connected to a lighting fixture. Some manufacturers however (particularly of cheaper and 'budget' equipment) disregard this and provide 3-pin XLR connectors on their equipment for reasons of cost. In this case, simple in-line adapters can be used. Some equipment comes equipped with both 3-pin and 5-pin connectors in order to save hassle.

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DMX cable is electrically different to audio cable (another reason why connectors should be differentiated), and although audio cable can be used for DMX connections, it will not provide a reliable connection due to the decreased resistance of the cable. This will result in flickering and drop-outs over long cable runs.

Revision as of 08:55, 5 December 2012

DMX512 is a standard for digital show control networks most commonly used to control lighting fixtures, stage effects and other show-control devices. It is connected using 3-pin or 5-pin XLR connectors.

Contents

Basic Information

Packet Structure

The DMX512 specification details a number of packet types, each indicated by a start code transmitted at the start of the packet. However, in 99% of cases the only start code used is 0x00, which indicates a standard DMX data packet. Other start codes are used for the RDM extension, testing purposes and various manufacturers propitiatory data.

A standard DMX packet consists of up to 512 8-bit (between 0 and 255) integers. Each integer represents a DMX channel. No channel numbers are transmitted- all packets begin with channel 1 (there is no channel 0 in DMX terminology, although the start code is sometimes referred to as 'slot 0'), and channel numbers are calculated by counting integers sequentially from 1. There is no way to skip channels in a packet- in order to send on channel 1 and channel 512, 512 channels must be sent.

A full packet can be sent up to 44 times per second, although packets with less than 512 channels can be sent at a higher rate. However, in practice 44 Hz is perfectly acceptable for the majority of uses, and configuration of frame rate is rarely required.

Connectors

DMX512 is connected using 5-pin XLR connectors. Although only 3 of the pins are actually used, 5-pin connectors are specified by the DMX512 standard in order to avoid confusion with 3-pin XLR connectors used for audio. This confusion could be particularly disastrous if a high powered audio line is accidentally connected to a lighting fixture. Some manufacturers however (particularly of cheaper and 'budget' equipment) disregard this and provide 3-pin XLR connectors on their equipment for reasons of cost. In this case, simple in-line adapters can be used. Some equipment comes equipped with both 3-pin and 5-pin connectors in order to save hassle.

DMX cable is electrically different to audio cable (another reason why connectors should be differentiated), and although audio cable can be used for DMX connections, it will not provide a reliable connection due to the decreased resistance of the cable. This will result in flickering and drop-outs over long cable runs.